A house explosion in Plum, Pennsylvania, left five dead and injured three others on Saturday morning.
Three houses were destroyed, and at least a dozen more were damaged, by the blast on Rustic Ridge Drive, approximately 20 miles east of Pittsburgh.
US OIL AND GAS RIGS DOWN BY 14% FROM LAST YEAR DESPITE HIGH OIL PRICES
Of the injured rescued from the rubble, two have been released from the hospital, while one remains in critical condition as of Sunday, said Steve Imbarlina, deputy director of Allegheny County Emergency Services, according to local news station WTAE. He added that 57 firefighters were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
PLUM EXPLOSION | Ring door bell footage was given to us of the devastating Rustic Ridge Dr. explosion this morning in Plum. Folks on this block tell me the heavy damage is their last concern, they’re only worried about their neighbors impacted. 1/2 @WTAE pic.twitter.com/QXdcjUkWsQ
— Tori Yorgey WTAE (@toriyorgeytv) August 13, 2023
Those killed include 38-year-old father Casey Clontz and his son Keegan, 12. The pair lived four houses away on Brookside Drive and were visiting their neighbor at the time of the explosion.
"Casey and Keegan Clontz were darn-near inseparable," according to a eulogy remembering the father and son. "Keegan, just 12 years old, was known as his dad’s shadow."
Local officials have not released the names and ages of the other victims. However, a GoFundMe has been set up for the Oravitz family, which owned the property. Paul Oravitz, 56, his wife, Heather Oravitz, 51, and their children, Taylor and Cole, lived at the house.
It is unknown what caused the explosion that occurred around 10:30 a.m., and officials stated the investigation may take "months, if not years," to complete. Gas provider Peoples Gas checked for gas leaks in the area and concluded that the system was "operating as designed," according to WTAE.
Lori and I are praying for family, friends, and neighbors who lost someone in Plum yesterday, and we're grateful for the first responders who ran towards danger to save lives.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) August 13, 2023
The five Pennsylvanians who passed and their families are in our thoughts today. May their memories be…
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Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) offered condolences following the incident, while Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said it was "certainly a sad, sad day and a sad, sad time” for the community.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Imbarlina, Plum Borough Council President Michael Doyle, and Peoples Gas for comment.